Tobacco lighter



June 10, 1930. A. J. STECKER TOBACCO LIGHTER Filed May 27, 1929 llllllllll lllllll 25 mum Egg. 5

J ym/JaZZZZZ ATTORNEYS Patented June 10, 1930 PATENT OFFICE ALFRED J. STECKER, OF ST. PETERSBURG, FLORIDA TOBACCO LIGHTER Application filed May 27,

The present invention pertains to a novel tobacco lighter commonly known on the market as a"cigar lighter wherein a spark is produced by means of a flint and a friction 8 wheel and caused to light an adjacent wick soaked with a combustible fluid. In the ordinary devices of this character, the flint is advanced constantly towards the friction wheel, and ithas been found that the wheel forms a groove in the end of the flint. -The formation of the groove is detrimental to the operation of the device.

The device of the present invention overcomes this defect by constantly changing the position of the tip of the flint exposed to the wheel, so that the flint wears evenly and no groove is formed by the wheel. This action is accomplished by constructing the flint and the delivery tube therefor in such a manner that there is a screw relation between these parts, so that the flint has a compound longitudinal and rotary motion in advancing towards the wheel.

The invention is fully disclosed by way of example in the following description and in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a fragmentary side elevation of a lighter, showing the novel parts in section;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan view thereof; Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the nut; Fig. 4 is a perspective View of the flint; Fig. '5 is a detail longitudinal section of a modified construction; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the flint employed in Figure 5.

Reference to these views will now be made byuse of like characters which are employed to designate corresponding parts through- Out. a

In Figure 1 is shown a lighter having certain conventional parts and including a body '1 which preferably serves as the receptacle for the fuel which burns when the device is in operation. On the top of the body 1 is a thimble 2 receiving a wick 3 which absorbs liqid fuel from the member 1. On the body 1 is also mounted a lug 4 to which is pivoted to an arm 5 having at its free end a cap 6 for 1929. Serial No. 366,256.

covering the wick 3 when not in use in order to prevent evaporation.

A delivery tube 7 is also supported on the top of the receptacle 1 and parallel thereto by means of an integral stud 8. In the tube is mounted a flint 9 which, as shown-in Figures 1 and 4, is square in cross section and twisted lengthwise to assume the character bf a screw. At the forward end of the tube is provided a nut 10 having an aperture 11 of substantially the same dimensions as the cross section of the flint. The flint passes through this aperture as clearly shown in Figure 1. The forward end of the tube 7 also carries an end piece 12 which retains the nut 10 and contains a transverse pin 13 on which is journaled a notched friction wheel 14, one point of which lies close to the aperture 11 of the nut 10. The flint is advanced towards the wheel by a spring 15 set within the tube 7 to engage the rear end'of the flint and backed by a screw 16 threaded into the rear end of the tube. The tension of the spring may be regulated by adjustment of the screw.

As the flint is advanced towards the wheel 14 to compensate for the wear of the former, it is also turned on its axis because of the screw and nut relation between it and the nut 10. In this manner the tip of the flint constantly changes its position with respect to the wheel 14, whereby the formation of a groove in the tip is avoided and the flint wears uniformly.

Figure 5 illustrates'a modified construction wherein the tube 20 is spirally grooved internally as at 21 and the flint 22 is of a regular formation with a diametrical pin 23 engaging in the groove. The supporting pin 24 for the friction wheel 25 may be mounted in an integral part of the tube 20. As the spring 26 behind the flint advances the same, t 1e latter assumes also a rotary movement as explained in connection with Figure 1.

The word flint is intended to signify any material capable of producing a spark in conjunction with a friction member such as the wheel 14 or 25, and is to be so understood in the claims. Also, the longitudinal and rotary motion of the flint specified in the 100 claims is to be understoodto denote a screw relation between the flint and the fixed enclosing part thereof.

Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that various alterations in the details of construction may be made without de arting from the scope of the invention as indicated by the appended claims. What I claim is;--

1. In a lighter, a friction .wheel, aflint, mean for advancing said flint towards said wheel, and means for imparting a rotary movement to said flint. v

2. In a lighter, a friction wheel, a flint, and means for imparting a compound rotary .and longitudinal movement of said flint towards said wheel.

3. In a lighter, a friction wheel, a delivery tube, a flint in said tube and having a screw relation therewith, and means for advancing said flint towards said wheel, whereby said flint is imparted a longitudinal and rotary motion. I 4. In a lighter, a friction wheel, a delivery tube, a flint within said tube, said flint being of polygonal cross sectionand twisted, a nut associated with said tube and having an aperture of the dimensions of said cross section, said flint passing through said aperture, and means for advancing said flint towards said Wheel, whereby said flint is imparted a longitudinal and rotary motion. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. ALFRED J. STECKER. 

